Compact optical system for substantially simultaneous monitoring of samples in a sample array

An apparatus, comprising:

• a sample block positioned at a first end of a body, the sample block having a plurality of recessed receptacles, each recessed receptacle sized and shaped to receive a sample container,
• an observation element positioned at a second end of the body, the observation element having a light source and a camera, the light source positioned to transmit light toward the first end of the body,
• a reflective element positioned above the sample block at the first end of the body, the reflective element having a single reflective surface formed as a non-apex portion of a paraboloid, wherein the light source is positioned relative to the reflective element such that the reflective element directs light received from the light source simultaneously to each sample container and reflects an image of each sample container simultaneously to the observation element, wherein the reflected image of each sample container is distorted to form a fan shaped image that yields a first data set that represents the distorted image, the first data set comprising a fluorescent signal for each sample container, and
• a computer programmed to communicate with the observation element and to process the first set of data such that the first set of data is processed to yield a second set of data that represents an undistorted image.